Michigan Confirms 15th Rabid Animal of 2026 as Kent County Logs First Wild Case

2 articles · Updated · Detroit Free Press · May 29

Kent County confirmed rabies in a bat, its first wild animal case of 2026 and Michigan's 15th rabid animal case statewide.
14 of the 15 Michigan cases this year have been bats, matching a longer pattern: the state reports about 60 animal rabies cases annually, roughly 90% in bats.
Health officials warned bats can enter homes unnoticed in summer, and their small teeth can leave bites hard to detect—especially if someone was asleep or a pet may have had contact.
Residents are urged to safely capture any bat found indoors for testing and keep pets vaccinated, since rabies is preventable before symptoms appear but is nearly always fatal once they begin.